Virginia Supreme Court To Decide Fairfax County Metrorail Expansion Tax Case
The Virginia Supreme Court has granted the appeal of a Fairfax County business who is challenging a controversial special tax established to fund the extension of the Metrorail to Dulles International Airport. FFW Enterprises, a commercial real estate company in Tysons Corner, filed the appeal after a Fairfax County Circuit Court judge granted the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ motion for summary judgment in June of last year.
At issue in the case is whether the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ creation of a special tax district to fund the county’s share of the Dulles Metrorail expansion project is constitutional. The county charged commercial and industrial real estate owners in the special tax district 22 cents per $100 of assessed property value (in addition to their normal property taxes), but exempted residential property owners.
It is FFW Enterprises’ position that the tax is unlawful because the Virginia Constitution requires a uniform application of taxes, so that tax burdens are equally distributed amongst commercial, residential, and industrial tax payers.
This is an important case for Fairfax County businesses and residents alike as the Virginia Supreme Court’s determination will have a substantial impact on how Fairfax County finances its share of the Metrorail expansion project.
A decision from the Virginia Supreme Court should come later this year. We will keep you updated on any new developments with this case.
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